Temporal Development of a Laser-Induced Helium Nanoplasma Measured through Auger Emission and Above-Threshold Ionization

Femtosecond pump-probe electron and ion spectroscopy is applied to study the development of a helium nanoplasma up to the nanosecond timescale. Electrons, bound by the deep confining mean-field potential, are elevated toward the vacuum level in the nanoplasma expansion. Subsequent electron recombination gives rise to transitions between He^{+} states, resulting in autoionization. The time-resolved analysis of the energy transfer to quasifree electrons reveals a transient depletion of the Auger emission, which allows for a temporal gate to map the distribution of delocalized electrons in the developing mean field. Furthermore, we trace the recombination of delocalized electrons near the vacuum level into highly excited Rydberg states. Transient above-threshold ionization is introduced as a diagnostic tool to resolve the dynamics. Thus, the development of the electron distribution in the nanoplasma mean-field potential can be monitored via the features observed in the emission spectra.

The external validation of a difficulty scoring system for predicting the risk of intraoperative complications during laparoscopic liver resection

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to externally validate and upgrade the recent difficulty scoring system (DSS) proposed by Halls et al. to predict intraoperative complications (IOC) during laparoscopic liver resection (LLR).

METHODS

The DSS was validated in a cohort of 128 consecutive patients undergoing pure LLRs between 2008 and 2019 at a single tertiary referral center. The validated DSS includes four difficulty levels based on five risk factors (neoadjuvant chemotherapy, previous open liver resection, lesion type, lesion size and classification of resection). As established by the validated DSS, IOC was defined as excessive blood loss (> 775 mL), conversion to an open approach and unintentional damage to surrounding structures. Additionally, intra- and postoperative outcomes were compared according to the difficulty levels with usual statistic methods. The same five risk factors were used for validation done by linear and advanced nonlinear (artificial neural network) models. The study was supported by mathematical computations to obtain a mean risk curve predicting the probability of IOC for every difficulty score.

RESULTS

The difficulty level of LLR was rated as low, moderate, high and extremely high in 36 (28.1%), 63 (49.2%), 27 (21.1%) and 2 (1.6%) patients, respectively. IOC was present in 23 (17.9%) patients. Blood loss of >775 mL occurred in 8 (6.2%) patients. Conversion to open approach was required in 18 (14.0%) patients. No patients suffered from unintentional damage to surrounding structures. Rates of IOC (0, 9.5, 55.5 and 100%) increased gradually with statistically significant value among difficulty levels (P < 0.001). The relations between the difficulty level, need for transfusion, operative time, hepatic pedicle clamping, and major postoperative morbidity were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Linear and nonlinear validation models showed a strong correlation (correlation coefficients 0.914 and 0.948, respectively) with the validated DSS. The Weibull cumulative distribution function was used for predicting the mean risk probability curve of IOC.

CONCLUSION

This external validation proved this DSS based on patient's, tumor and surgical factors enables us to estimate the risk of intra- and postoperative complications. A surgeon should be aware of an increased risk of complications before starting with more complex procedures.

Outcomes of the Surgical Treatment for Adenocarcinoma of the Cardia - Single Institution Experience

Background

Adenocarcinomas at the cardia are biologically aggressive tumors with poor long-term survival following curative resection. For resectable adenocarcinoma of the cardia, mostly esophagus extended total gastrectomy or esophagus extended proximal gastric resection is performed; however, the surgical approach, transhiatal or transthoracic, is still under discussion. Postoperative morbidity, mortality and long-term survival were analyzed to evaluate the potential differences in clinically relevant outcomes.

Patients and methods

Of altogether 844 gastrectomies performed between January 2000 and December 2016, 166 were done for the adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia, which we analyzed with using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

136 were esophagus extended total gastrectomy and 125 esophagus extended proximal gastric resection. A D2 lymphadenectomy was performed in 88.2%, splenectomy in 47.2%, and multivisceral resections in 12.4% of patients. R0 resection rate was 95.7%. The mean proximal resection margin on the esophagus was 42.45 mm. It was less than 21 mm in 9 patients. Overall morbidity regarding Clavien-Dindo classification (> 1) was altogether 28.6%. 15.5% were noted as surgical and 21.1% as medical complications. The 30-day mortality was 2.2%. The 5-year survival for R0 resections was 33.4%. Multivisceral resection, depth of tumor infiltration, nodal stage, and curability of the resection were identified as independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Transhiatal approach for resection of adenocarcinoma of the cardia is a safe procedure for patients with Siewert II and III regarding the postoperative morbidity and mortality; moreover, long-term survival is comparable to transthoracic approach. The complications associated with thoracoabdominal approach can therefore be avoided with no impact on the rate of local recurrence.

Simultaneous Pure Laparoscopic Resection of Primary Colorectal Cancer and Synchronous Liver Metastases: A Single Institution Experience with Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Background

The aim of the study was to compare the outcome of pure laparoscopic and open simultaneous resection of both the primary colorectal cancer and synchronous colorectal liver metastases (SCLM).

Patients and methods

From 2000 to 2016 all patients treated by simultaneous resection were assessed for entry in this single center, clinically nonrandomized trial. A propensity score matching was used to compare the laparoscopic group (LAP) to open surgery group (OPEN). Primary endpoints were perioperative and oncologic outcomes. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

Results

Of the 82 patients identified who underwent simultaneous liver resection for SCLM, 10 patients underwent LAP. All these consecutive patients from LAP were matched to 10 comparable OPEN. LAP reduced the length of hospital stay (P = 0.044) and solid food oral intake was faster (P = 0.006) in this group. No patient undergoing the laparoscopic procedure experienced conversion to the open technique. No difference was observed in operative time, blood loss, transfusion rate, narcotics requirement, clinical risk score, resection margin, R0 resections rate, morbidity, mortality and incisional hernias rate. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of the 3-year OS rate (90 vs. 75%; P = 0.842) and DFS rate (60 vs. 57%; P = 0.724).

Conclusions

LAP reduced the length of hospital stay and offers faster solid food oral intake. Comparable oncologic and survival outcomes can be achieved. LAP is beneficial for well selected patients in high volume centers with appropriate expertise.

Acute Toxicity and Tumor Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer After Preoperative Chemoradiation Therapy With Shortening of the Overall Treatment Time Using Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy With Simultaneous Integrated Boost: A Phase 2 Trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This phase 2 study investigated the efficacy and safety of preoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy with a simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB) without dose escalation, concomitant with standard capecitabine chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between January 2014 and March 2015, 51 patients with operable stage II-III rectal adenocarcinoma received preoperative IMRT with pelvic dose of 41.8 Gy and simultaneously delivered 46.2 Gy to T2/3 and 48.4 Gy to T4 tumor in 22 fractions, concomitant with capecitabine, 825 mg/m²/12 hours, including weekends. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR).

RESULTS

Fifty patients completed preoperative treatment according to the protocol, and 47 underwent surgical resection. The sphincter preservation rate for the low rectal tumors was 62%, and the resection margins were free in all but 1 patient. Decrease in tumor and nodal stage was observed in 32 (68%) and 39 (83%) patients, respectively, with pCR achieved in 12 (25.5%) patients. There were only 2 G ≥ 3 acute toxicities, with infectious enterocolitis in 1 patient and dermatitis over the sacral area caused by the bolus effect of the treatment table in the second patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative IMRT-SIB without dose escalation is well tolerated, with a low acute toxicity profile, and can achieve a high rate of pCR and downstaging.

Prebiotic and Synbiotic Treatment before Colorectal Surgery--Randomised Double Blind Trial

The aim of our study was to demonstrate higher concentrations of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the colonic mucosa in operated colorectal cancer patients treated with oral intake of synbiotics or prebiotics preoperatively. We also tried to prove that the systemic inflammatory response after surgery is not so severe in patients who took synbiotics or prebiotics, furthermore these patients have less postoperative complications and a favorable postoperative course. 73 patients with preceding colorectal operations were recruited. They were randomized into three groups. One group received preoperatively prebiotics, the second synbiotics in and third was preoperatively cleansed. We have defined the number of four different probiotic bacteria on colonic mucosa with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum levels of interleukin-6, CRP, fibrinogen, white cell count and differential blood count were measured pre- and postoperatively to determine systemic inflammatory response. We succeed in confirming that in the synbiotic group there were considerably more LAB presented on the mucosa. They did pass the upper gastrointestinal tract and were isolated in colonic mucosa. On the other hand, we did not find any statistical differences in systemic inflammatory response measured by upper factors and no differences in postoperative course and complications rate between all three groups.

Schwingungsspektren und Thermodynamische Funktionen von PF3, PCl3, PBr3, P J3, PF2Cl, PF2Br, PF2J, PFCl2, PFBr2, PCl2Br, PCl2J, PClBr2, PClJ2, PBrJ2, PBr2J, PFClBr, AsCl2Br und AsClBr2

The complete Raman and infrared spectra of PF2Cl, PF2Br, PFCl2 and PFBr2 are reported. The frequency data for several mixed phosphorus and arsenic halides (see title) given in the literature are revised and completed. Assignments are made for all spectra. Thermodynamic functions in the temperature range 200—2000 °K are calculated for all molecules, assuming the harmonic oscillator — rigid rotator approximation.

Urey-Bradley -Kraftkonstanten von tetraedrischen Oxoanionen der Übergangsmetalle in der höchsten Wertigkeitsstufe

Mit Hilfe der FG-Matrix-Methode von Wilson werden die Kraftkonstanten K, H, F und F′ des Urey-Bradley- Potentials von tetraedrischen Oxoanionen der Übergangsmetalle in der höchsten Wertigkeitsstufe berechnet. Es wird gezeigt, daß die Abstoßungskonstanten F für chemisch nicht unmittelbar verbundene Atome nicht durch Kräfte erklärt werden können, die sich aus einem Lenard-Jones- Potential ableiten.

Zur Kenntnis des Rhenium(VII)-oxids und zur Reaktion des Re2O7 mit 1.4-Dioxan

Rhenium (VII) -oxid ist entgegen Literaturangaben in keinem untersuchten Lösungsmittel ohne Zersetzung löslich. Das IR-Spektrum der festen Substanz zwischen 4000 und 120 cm—1 sowie das Massenspektrum der Gasphase über festem Re2O7 werden mitgeteilt. Die bisher für Re2O7 ermittelten Eigenschaften und Daten deuten auf eine polymere Struktur der kristallinen Verbindung hin, in der die weitgehend kovalent gebundenen ReOn-Polyeder über Ecken verknüpft sind. Weiterhin wird gezeigt, daß es sich bei der in der Literatur als Re2O7· 3 Dioxan beschriebenen Substanz tatsächlich um eine über H-Brücken gebundene Verbindung der formalen Bruttozusammensetzung Re2O7 · 2 H2O · 2 Dioxan handelt.

Schwingungen von Molekülen und Ionen des Typs XY4 mit D4h -Symmetrie und Massenabhängigkeit der Coriolis-Kopplungskonstanten

Für alle Moleküle und Ionen des Typs XY4 mit D4h-Symmetrie, von denen Frequenzdaten bekannt sind, werden Kraftkonstanten, mittlere Schwingungsamplituden und Coriolis-Kopplungskonstanten berechnet. Es ergibt sich, daß die Coriolis-Kopplungskonstanten eine eindeutige Massenabhängigkeit zeigen.

Reaktionen und Strukturen von [(C2H5)4N][OsCl6] und [(n-C4H9)4N]2[Os2Cl10] / Reactions and Structures of [(C2H5)4N][OsCl6] and [(n-C4H9)4N]2[Os2Cl10]

On heating of [(C2H5)4N][OsCl6] for a short time at 240 °C , Cl2 is lost and [(C2H5)4N]2[Os2Cl10] is formed quantitatively. Both complexes are connected by a temperature dependent redox equilibrium so that by treatment at 120 °C with Cl2 gas the hexachloroosmate(V) is recovered from the decachlorodiosmate(IV). The crystal structures of salts of both an ions were determined from single crystal X -ray diffraction analyses. [(C2H5)4N][OsCl6] is monoclinic, space group P2 1 with a = 7 .020 (1), b = 10 .163 (2), c = 11.609 (2) Å , β = 103.91(1)° (at - 133 °C ). The strongly pseudocentrosymmetric structure shows a reversible phase transition at ca. 85 °C. The Os -Cl bond length (mean value 2.303 Å) in the regular [OsCl6]-octahedra is significantly smaller than in [OsCl6]2− , in accordance with vibrational spectra. [(n -C4H9)4N]2 [Os2Cl10] crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 15 .496 (2), b = 15 .965 (3), c = 19 .431(3) Å and contains centrosymmetric [Os2Cl10]2− ions with approximate D2h symmetry. Within the edge-sharing [OsCl6] octahedra the mean terminal and bridging Os -Cl bond lengths are 2.307 and 2.411 Å , respectively.

Infrarotspektrum, Elektronen-Absorptionsspektrum und HMO-Rechnung 4.5-Dioxo-2-thioxo-1.3-dithiolan C3O2S3

The infrared and electron absorption spectra of 4.5-dioxo-2-thioxo-1.3-dithiolane are reported and discussed. Using the HMO method, π electron densities, π bond orders, the transition energy EN→v1 and the total π electron energy are calculated.

Mean Amplitudes of Vibration, Force Constants and Coriolis Coupling Constants of ZXY2(C2v) and ZXY3(C3v) Type Molecules and Ions

For a large number of ZXY3(C3v) and ZXY2(C2v) molecules and ions symmetry force constants, mean amplitudes of vibration for bonded and nonbonded distances and Coriolis coupling constants

have been calculated.

Elektronenabsorptions-Spektren von MoSe4 2⊖ und WSe4 2⊖ in wäßriger Lösung

Die Elektronenabsorptions-Spektren von MoSe4 2⊖ und WSe4 2⊖ wurden in wäßriger Lösung gemessen. Die ermittelten Absorptionsbanden werden an Hand eines einfachen MO-Schemas zugeordnet und diskutiert. Es ergibt sich eine lineare Beziehung zwischen der charge-transfer-Übergangsenergie t1 → 2 e (1A1 → 1T2) der Chalkogenomolybdate und -wolframate MoL4 2⊖ und WL4 2⊖ (L== O, S, Se) und der Ionisierungsspannung von L.

Die Schwingungsspektren von MoO3.2 H2O und MoO2Cl2 · H2O / Vibrational Spectra of MoO3 · 2 H2O and MoO2Cl2 · H2O

The Raman and infrared spectra of MoO3·2 H2O and MoO2Cl2 · H2O have been assigned based on the known crystal structures of these compounds. In the region of the Mo-O-stretching frequencies the spectra of ΜοO3·2Η2O and MoO2Cl2 or WO2Cl2 are very similar. The same is valid for MoO2Cl2H2O compared with MoO3. The frequency νas (Mo-O - Mo) depends highly on the ratio of the bond lengths of the two bridge bonds.

Rectal cancer treatment and survival--comparison of two 5-year time intervals

In last two decades there was a huge step forward concerning rectal cancer treatment. The aim of our study was comparison of two time intervals regarding the methods of treatment and results of radical rectal cancer surgery. 407 patients operated on for rectal cancer were included in study. Those were patients with elective radical resection of solitary rectal tumor who survived first month after the operation. Patients were divided in two groups regarding the time of operation. In group one were patients operated on between 1996 and 2000 and in group two patients operated on between 2001 and 2005. We compared our results in both intervals with special interest about type of operation considering localization of the tumor, local recurrence and cancer related survival. Significant differences were found between two groups. There were more sphincter saving operations in second group, less local recurrences and better survival than in first group. This study observed significant improvements at recurrence rates and total survival for patients operated on rectal cancer.

Prognostic value of additional pathological variables for long-term survival after curative resection of rectal cancer

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic value of some pathological variables in rectal cancer survival.

METHODS: 247 patients who underwent curative resection of rectal cancer were included in the study. The influence on survival of five pathological variables (histopathological tumor type, histopathological tumor grade differentiation, blood vessel invasion, perineural invasion and lymphatic invasion) was assessed using statistical analyses.

RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival was 71.2%. Univariate analysis of all tested variables showed an effect on survival but only the effect of lymphatic invasion was statistically significant. At stages three and four it had a negative effect on survival (P = 0.0212). Lymphatic invasion also significantly affected cancer related survival in multivariate analysis at stages three and four. At lower stages (stage 0, stage 1 and stage 2) multivariate analysis showed a negative effect of perineural invasion on cancer related survival.

CONCLUSION: Patients with lymphatic and perineural invasion have a higher risk for rectal cancer related death after curative resection. Examination of these variables should be an important step in detecting patients with a poorer prognosis.

Self-assembling of proteins and enzymes at nanoscale for biodevice applications

Different nanotechnological strategies have been selected to implement biomolecular devices following a bottom-up or top-down approach depending on the biomolecule and on its functionality. Biomolecules have particular functionality and self-assembling capabilities that can be exploited for the implementation of both bioelectronic devices and multipurpose engineered biosurfaces. Surface preparation with supramolecular methods and microcontact printing have been developed and optimised to realise suitable functionalised surfaces. These surfaces can be used to link metalloproteins and enzymes for the implementation of nanobioelectronic devices and planar biosensors or to bind cells in order to promote their growth along predefined tracks and grooves. Some possible applications of these biosurfaces are shown and discussed. Results are presented for the realisation of a biomolecular nanodevice working in air based on the metalloprotein azurin immobilised in the solid state, the formation and characterisation of functional glutamate Dehydrogenase monolayers for nanobiosensing applications, the results of soft lithography processes on azurin for biosensor implementation, and the development of physiological self-assembled patterns of laminin-1 for cell culture applications and hybrid devices.

Structure–function relationships of purple acid phosphatase from red kidney beans based on heterologously expressed mutants

Purple acid phosphatases are binuclear metalloenzymes, which catalyze the conversion of orthophosphoric monoesters to alcohol and orthophosphate. The enzyme from red kidney beans is characterized with a Fe(III)-Zn(II) active center. So far, the reaction mechanisms postulated for PAPs assume the essentiality of two amino acids, residing near the bimetallic active site. Based on the amino acid sequence of kidney bean PAP (kbPAP), residues H296 and H202 are believed to be essential for catalytic function of the enzyme. In the present study, the role of residue H202 has been elucidated. Mutants H202A and H202R were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis and expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Based on kinetic studies, residue H202 is assumed to play a role in stabilizing the transition state, particularly in charge compensation, steric positioning of the substrate, and facilitating the release of the product by protonating the substrate leaving groups. The study confirmed the essentiality and elucidates the functional role of H202 in the catalytic mechanism of kbPAP.

Signs of rapidly progressive dementia in a case of intravascular lymphomatosis

Intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL), a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is an uncommon cause of progressive dementia, usually followed by death within a few months of onset of clinical disease. Often this aggressive tumor is only diagnosed at autopsy, because of misleading clinical features mimicking a broad spectrum of syndromes and the absence of circulating lympoma cells in the blood, bone marrow or cerebrospinal fluid in many cases. Here we present IVL in a 78-year-old woman with findings leading to the clinical diagnosis of vascular dementia with sudden beginning and positive 14-3-3 protein in the CSF, commonly reported in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).